Events slated to welcome home injured PTC soldier

Fri, 03/12/2010 - 7:47amJohn Munford

A McIntosh High School graduate who lost both of his legs in an explosion while patrolling in Afghanistan in August will be coming home Memorial Day weekend.

Plans are already underway for several events May 29 to welcome home Army Lt. Daniel Berschinski, who is currently rehabilitating in Washington, D.C.
The day will begin a 8 a.m. with an “All-American” 5K road race sponsored by the Peachtree City Running Club. Proceeds will be given to the fund established for Berschinski this year and to veterans groups in future years. Runners, walkers and phantom runners are invited to participate.

Following the race at 11:30 a.m., Berschinski will be escorted through Fayetteville to Peachtree City by a motorcycle escort. While the route is not finalized yet, there will be a chance for residents to line the way and local organizations will donate and pass out American flags to wave.

At 1 p.m. there will be a special ceremony as Berschinski will be welcomed at City Hall in Peachtree City where he will thank the community for its support of him. Also scheduled to speak are Fayette County Commissioner Eric Maxwell, Col Brian Lein, the command surgeon of U.S. Forces Command and McIntosh High School cross country and track coach Charles Buckle.

Mayor Don Haddix will present Berschinski with a proclamation during the ceremony.

The day will be capped at 7:30 with a free Memorial Day program at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater featuring a performance from the Army Ground Forces Band. The program includes an address from Berschinski as the guest speaker.

There will be special tributes to honor area family members serving in the military and to those who have given their lives while serving.

The concert is free but donations will be taken at the door to benefit Berschinski’s fund, the children of fallen soldier Shawn McCloskey and the Wounded Warrior Project.
Berschinski was injured Aug. 17 when he stepped on an improvised explosive device while his unit secured a village in Afghanistan. In his rehabilitation he is learning to walk on prosthetic legs in a process that is likely to take approximately a year.